SHOW REVIEW: Breaking Benjamin w/Red, Mangrenade

Rumor has it that if you live in Ohio and don’t like the weather, just wait a few minutes and it will change. Hell, the state even has days where all four seasons seem to exist in a twenty-four hour period. Tuesday, May 2, 2017, was no exception to this rule in Columbus, Ohio, as Breaking Benjamin rolled into town with Red and special guests, Mangrenade.

First, what started out as a sunny morning with all the promise in the world turned into a gray, dreary, wet afternoon. As a result, it led to a pretty chilly night for an outdoor rock show. However, this did not slow down the bands or their incredible performances. It did little to deter the crowd of 5200 from enjoying every minute of the night. And what a kick-ass night it was at Express Live.

Mangrenade, an indie band out of Cincinnati, Ohio, started off the night with the right amount of badassery and heavy grind that the crowd seemed to need to get them started. Though not many people knew of Mangrenade, that didn’t matter. By and large, the crowd gave the love back to them as hard as Mangrenade dished it out. Ben Morgan and Nick Thieme both had the crowd in the palms of their hands with their driving guitars and powerful, gritty vocals. At the same rate, Nick Millson handled his bass with mastery, while A.J. Grubb drove the foursome ever onward on drums. It was clear to all paying attention that Mangrenade performed like a well-oiled, hard-working machine endlessly striving to be the best.

Highlights from their set were, “Lions in the Parking Lot,” which had the entire crowd moving, and “Suffer,” which featured the kind of driving, slightly angry lyrics and slick instrumental work that Mangrenade is known for. Notably, Ben Morgan’s vocals, best described as whiskey poured over gravel, complemented the smooth – yet slightly gritty – vocal stylings of Nick Thieme. The energy on the stage was electric and showed no sign of slowing down, even as their set ended.

Therefore, for this writer, their set could have lasted a little bit longer; I wasn’t ready for it to end! Clearly, I wasn’t alone; it seemed they made an indelible impression on a lot of people. This was further evidenced by the steady stream of concert-goers at their merch table after their set and through the evening. Thus, it seems safe to say that the show at Express Live was just the beginning of something special for those Ohio guys.

After a very brief set change, Grammy-nominated Christian hard rockers, Red took over stage duties. At this point, the energetic crowd welcomed them with open arms and rock horns. In all honesty, Michael Barnes’s performance on the stage was nothing short of magnetic. One couldn’t help but to listen to every single word he says on the mic. His stage presence was so huge and bold that it proved impossible to ignore. Twin brothers, Anthony (lead guitar, backing vocals) and Randy (bass, backing vocals) Armstrong provided the perfect accompaniment to Barnes. Additionally, Dan Johnson was absolutely savage on the drums. He perfectly showcased the mix of skills and pure energy behind the drumset that concert-goers expect from a live show.

Apparently, the crowd was hungry, and Red delivered the sustenance, for sure. From “Death of Me” off of their 2009 release, Innocence and Instinct, to “Falling Sky” from their latest release, Of Beauty and Rage, Red showed the crowd exactly why they deserve all of the accolades that they’d been given. Simply put, these guys were incredible that night.

Lyrically, their performance was smart, with their own brand of uplifting-yet-heavy edge, with a real focus on finding the beauty in the bullshit of everyday life, pain, and strife. Of course, their message resonated with the crowd. Apparently, the dose of hope in the trenches that they delivered hit the spot with all in attendance. At any rate, the energy they brought to the stage was matched pound for pound by the crowd. Michael Barnes fed off of the crowd and gave them back what they gave him tenfold. Ultimately, their nine-song set seemed much too short for some. In any case, the anticipation built quite nicely for the night’s headliners – Breaking Benjamin.

First and foremost, the ultimate moment of concert irony blanketed itself over the crowd, as the opening notes of “So Cold” ripped through the chilly winds. It was, indeed, so cold, but no one seemed to really pay it much mind. Frontman Ben Burnley came out on stage, and the crowd lost their ever-loving minds as he and his four friends and band mates took hold of the night. Aaron Bruch (bass, backing vocals), Keith Wallen (rhythm guitar, backing vocals), Jasen Rauch (lead guitar), and Shaun Foist (drums) all provided their precise and perfected accompaniment to Burnley’s impeccable guitar skills and vocals throughout the night. Furthermore, Aaron Bruch and Keith Wallen took their turns as frontmen for a few songs, and the results were incredible to behold.

Aaron Bruch’s guttural growls and comforting, husky vocals took “Believe” to another level. Prior to that, Keith Wallen’s smooth-as-honey voice poured over the crowd when he took the mic on “Sooner or Later.” That touch – two other very strong vocalists in the band – seemed to take some concert-goers by surprise. However, the addition of Bruch and Wallen on vocals became a vital cornerstone for the longevity of the live performance experience for the band. Likewise, for many, it was a welcome element of the show. This was very much the case in Columbus, as, overall, the crowd didn’t seem to care who had the mic – they sang every word back to the band, all night long.

Another key element that set Breaking Benjamin apart from many other bands in terms of live performance was the absence of performance tracks. As a result, every element heard from the stage came directly from the instruments in the hands of the band members. This force is what drives the band to continually deliver consistent, solid sets night after night. Breaking Benjamin played a solid seventeen-song setlist, covering hits like “Sooner or Later” and their current single, “Never Again,” alongside crowd-favorites “Firefly” and “Polyamorous.” Additionally, their Imperial March medley – as many have come to expect – was another nod to the incredibly cool nerdy brotherhood of the band. As far as I was concerned, that night was they best they had played in a very long time; that’s saying something.

At one point, Ben asked that the venue turn the lights up and addressed a security guard who was being a little rough on a female fan in the crowd. Then he expressed his displeasure of how she was treated and showcased the love and dedication the band has for their fanbase. Accordingly, the sea of people pulsed and crowd-surfed as they found themselves slathered in that love and dedication all the way through the set to the final notes of “Diary of Jane.”

That tour, which ended May 13, 2017, was the last one before they hit the high seas for Europe. I was extremely pleased to see that incredible show, as I knew I would not get the chance to see them again now until their next stateside run. If you missed this tour, I feel for you. You missed something special, for sure!

In all, the night was another incredible display of some of the finest acts rock has to offer. Assuredly, the weather was frigid, but the heat from all three acts on the stage was enough to carry the crowd through the night, band after band, song after song. Incidentally, live show experiences like that make concert-goers come back for more, time and again, rain or shine. When you feel it, you know. In my opinion, it was safe to say, the crowd all felt it – all night long.